The Council Hall was smaller than the one in Zhenyue City, but it was more exquisite.

Intricate geometric patterns were painted on the dome, with blue, white, and gold colors intertwined like a blooming flower.

In the very center was a long table; the dark brown hardwood was polished smooth, reflecting the light from the overhead chandelier.

A man sat in the main seat, sporting a full beard and wearing a white turban.

A blue gemstone was inlaid on the turban; he wore silver-white chainmail and had a scimitar at his waist.

This was indeed the City Lord of Kara Holy City, Ali Khan. He sat upright with a steady gaze.

Seeing the three people enter, the corners of his mouth curled up slightly, revealing a hint of a smile.

Seated on the left was a man in his early forties with a thin face, a short beard, and a white turban.

Three people sat on the right. Closest to the main seat was an old man wearing a white turban and a white robe, holding a metal staff with an egg-sized sapphire embedded in the head.

Next to the old man sat two middle-aged men who looked similar and were clearly brothers. Both had full beards, wore white turbans, silver-white chainmail, and had scimitars hanging from their waists.

Everyone's gaze fell upon the doorway.

Lin Feng's expression remained unchanged as he followed Liu Zhenshan to the empty seats on the left and sat down, leaning his Wildfire Spear against the side of his chair.

Hamza took the first seat on the left and nodded toward Ali Khan in the main seat.

"Deputy City Lord Liu, Lord Lin, you've had a long and difficult journey."

Ali Khan stood up, cupped his fists, and spoke with sincere tone.

"I thank you both for coming thousands of miles to support us. Everyone in Kara Holy City will keep this in their hearts."

Liu Zhenshan cupped his fists in return. "City Lord Ali is too polite. Tieba Kingdom and Great Xia watch over and help each other; this is only our duty."

Lin Feng also cupped his fists and said, "City Lord Ali, you overstate it."

Ali Khan nodded with a smile and sat back down, raising his hand to indicate the middle-aged man in the white robe on the left.

"This is the vice city lord of this city, Hassan."

Hassan nodded slightly toward Lin Feng and Liu Zhenshan, his voice gentle. "Deputy City Lord Liu, Lord Lin, I have long heard of you. I heard Lord Lin is only eighteen; to have such achievements at such a young age is truly admirable."

Lin Feng said modestly, "vice city lord Hassan, you flatter me."

Ali Khan then pointed to the brothers on the right. "These two are enshriners of this city, Zayn and Zala. Both are Third Rank Snow Mountain Warriors."

The one with short hair was Zayn, and the one with a ponytail was Zala.

The two nodded in greeting to Lin Feng and Liu Zhenshan at the same time. Zala even grinned, revealing a row of white teeth.

Finally, he pointed to the old man. "This is the head of our city's enshriners, Faizan, a Third Rank Snow Mountain Guardian."

Faizan stood up and solemnly cupped his fists toward the two, his voice deep. "You have come from afar; it has been hard on you."

Lin Feng and Liu Zhenshan hurriedly returned the gesture.

Everyone exchanged pleasantries for a few moments, nothing more than "the journey was hard," "are you adjusting to the temperature here," and "would you like a cup of tea first."

The two responded to each one, neither humble nor arrogant.

Tea was served; it was the mint tea unique to Tieba Kingdom, cool on the palate with a sweet aftertaste.

Ali Khan set down his teacup, his expression shifting from gentle to serious.

The atmosphere in the Council Hall suddenly became heavy. Everyone knew the main topic was coming.

"According to the intelligence gathered by our forward scouts, every time the Orc Army captures a county town, they gain a large amount of their own race's population.

After they occupy a city, the city automatically transforms into Orc territory, and their population, resources, and troop sources are all replenished."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone present. "Furthermore, these Orcs don't just develop territory; they also recruit armies.

They have a complete military system: conscription, training, equipment, and logistics. They are fundamentally different from the previous Nightmare Tide armies.

The monsters of the Nightmare Tide only knew how to charge brainlessly, but the Orc Army knows how to scout, flank, set ambushes, and cut off supply lines. They are a true army."

The Council Hall fell silent for a moment, and Liu Zhenshan's brow furrowed.

"The combat power of the Orc Army is terrifying," Ali Khan continued.

"The lowest-level Orc Infantry are all level fifteen. Their Army Formation effect is a ten-thousand-man formation, which adds six hundred health and sixty attack power. The combat strength of an ordinary soldier is close to that of a level nineteen professional."

Everyone was silent. Liu Zhenshan picked up his teacup, but he set it back down without drinking.

Faizan opened his eyes, a hint of solemnity appearing in his light brown eyes.

Zayn's fingers tapped lightly on his knee.

Lin Feng spoke up. "What about Russia? Russia is the most powerful nation in the South Pole Region, ranked fourth in the world, and has five city-level territories. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

How could they sit by and watch this Orc Army grow stronger? Logically, they should have sent troops long ago to launch a pincer attack with Tieba Kingdom."

Ali Khan sighed and shook his head. "We have already contacted them. Although there are no foreign races within Russia's borders, the westernmost and northernmost parts of their territory are at the edge of the South Pole Region.

According to the information they provided, the shadows of foreign armies have also appeared in those unexplored areas."

He paused, his voice dropping a bit lower. "Those places are even more terrifying than here. There are no national destiny territories, no vision, and no scouting. We don't even know the scale or development of those foreign armies.

Those are the real dire threats for Russia. All of their high-level combat forces have already been sent out to scout.

Their main army is split into two parts, relying on their northernmost and westernmost city-level territories to build defensive positions."

He looked up at Lin Feng.

"Meanwhile, this Orc Army on our side is still within their monitoring range, so the danger is relatively controllable."

Lin Feng was silent for a moment before slowly speaking, "The unknown is the most terrifying thing. If those unexplored areas are allowed to develop for a few months, I wouldn't be surprised if they pulled out an army of a hundred thousand."

No one responded because everyone knew Lin Feng was telling the truth.

Liu Zhenshan tapped the table, drawing everyone's attention back.

"Let's talk about how to deal with the Orc Army that will arrive in two days."

Ali Khan nodded «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» and stood up again.

He walked to the huge parchment map behind him, his finger pointing to the location of Kara Holy City on the map, then moving to several key points.

"We have a general plan on our side, and I'd like to ask Deputy City Lord Liu and Lord Lin for their opinions."

He pointed to the walls and gates on the map, speaking at a steady pace but with clear logic.

"Deputy City Lord Liu and I will work together to restrain that level forty War Lord. Two against one, we should be able to hold him back."

Liu Zhenshan nodded, having no objections.